Raffles Are the Perfect Fundraiser For Any Non-Profit
Many thanks ðnd a tÑ–Ñ€ þ’ thõ hðt to “ImрðÑÂt a Life†scholarship writer Caroline Hodson for tðkÑ–ng þn thõ fþllþwÑ–ng õѕѕðу tþріѠѕþ ÑÂrõðtÑ–võlу:
Describe how non-profit organizations, (including church groups, civic groups, youth sports organizations) can best derive benefit for their fundraising effort by holding a raffle fundraiser. Offer proposals for a) maximizing the sales of their raffle tickets b) prizes that would encourage and stimulate ticket sales c) suggested ways to motivate volunteers to sell more tickets.
Thðnk you ѕþ muÑÂh Caroline for your wõll-dþnõ essay – ðnd bõѕt þf luÑÂk wÑ–th your Ñ•tudіõѕ!
“Impact a Life†Scholarship contributor: Caroline Hodson
Yþu ÑÂðn hõlÑ€ Caroline Hodson’s pursuit þf a scholarship award bу ÑÂlÑ–ÑÂkÑ–ng the “sharing Ñ–Ñ• ÑÂðrÑ–ng†buttþnÑ• bõlþw.
Raffles are a fantastic way for non-profit organizations like school and church groups to raise a large amount of money in a short amount of time. The little-to-no risk factor, along with the endless possibility of profit, makes it one of the most successful fundraisers a group can organize.
In my experience as president of my senior class, raffles stimulate any group, from a rowdy crowd at a football game to a reserved audience at a theater production. In the past, we have made a substantial amount on 50/50 raffles during basketball halftime breaks and class reunions. This year, with so many senior activities, our class has been behind on funds, so we have decided to orchestrate a community-wide raffle with donations from local businesses. We will hold it in March and connect it to NBA’s March Madness, where we pick a winner every day of the month. We have planned it so it is impossible to lose money, and will bring in a large profit for our class.
Our first job is to collect intriguing and exciting prizes to raffle off. One cannot expect any sales if the prizes are not worth a bang for their buck. So, we will inquire donations from an abundance of small businesses in our town, from jewelry stores to local restaurants. We will also ask chain restaurants and stores because they often have the resources to donate to local organizations. Gift cards are usually a big hit because their monetary value is clear and the winner can use it to their liking. The most sought-after certificates are typically for local restaurants, but it is best to collect a variety of options so the buyer is more likely to find something appealing to them. The non-profit should never purchase the raffle prizes because any purchase is a loss of guaranteed money the group already has.
When maximizing the number of tickets an individual purchases, the most effective sales pitch is a deal. Every consumer is more likely to buy more if they know they are saving money by buying in bulk. For example, we will price our tickets as follows: five dollars for one ticket, ten dollars for three, and twenty dollars for ten. This significant jump in tickets per dollar automatically encourages the customer to spend more money on the better deal, especially because their competition will most likely be making the same purchase.
Another tactic to encouraging any sale is to advertise the inclusion of every ticket in every drawing. This means even if someone’s ticket is pulled one day, that ticket will be included in every drawing throughout the competition, keeping their odds the same for every prize. Sure, it would be great if ticket holders could win a $25 gift card, but it would be even better if they could win three, for example. The potential for multiple winnings excites the buyer and increases the desire to buy more tickets.
So, we have a solid plan for selling the most tickets, but tickets cannot be purchased if the volunteers are not motivated to sell them. Students can sell to their friends and family, but most of the money will come from asking community members in the neighborhood. Fundraising door to door is not always the most exciting activity, so we will create incentives through a competition of ticket sales. The student with the most sales will win a raffle prize of their choosing, and the runners up will receive extra raffle tickets for the drawings. A healthy competition between volunteers such as this will fuel ticket sales and maximize profit for the group.
Any group can hold a raffle of this style, not just a high school class. Church groups, sports teams, leadership groups, and others can benefit from a month-long raffle. Creating a theme and collecting a variety of desirable prizes will make the raffle more exciting and appealing. By asking both the families of the group members as well as the community, more buyers will be involved and more money will be collected. Creating incentives for both the purchasers and the volunteers will encourage larger ticket sales. I would advise everyone to hold a raffle to raise money, no matter how big or small the group, because raffles are the perfect fundraiser for any non-profit.